The Waiting

The True Story of a Lost Child, a Lifetime of Longing, and a Miracle for a Mother Who Never Gave Up

Product Description

Now with a new afterword! A five star–reviewed, unforgettable story that bestselling author Homer Hickam calls “one of the most eloquent, moving, irresistible true stories” he’s ever read. The Waiting will touch your heart and make you believe in love’s enduring legacy, as well as the power of prayer.

In 1928, 16-year-old Minka was on a picnic in the woods when she was assaulted and raped. And suddenly this innocent farm girl—who still thought the stork brought babies—was pregnant. The story that follows has been almost a hundred years in the making. After a lifetime of separation, Minka whispered an impossible prayer for the first time: Lord, I’d like to see Betty Jane before I die. What happened next was a miracle. Written by Cathy LaGrow (Minka’s granddaughter), The Waiting brings three generations of this most unusual family together over the course of a century in a story of faith that triumphs, forgiveness that sets us free, and love that never forgets. (As seen on The Today Show.)

Jennie Zeitler

The Waiting is about all the years that a mother waited to learn about her daughter, given up for adoption in 1929. Minka was an innocent farm girl who still thought the stork brought babies. She was raped and became pregnant. Her family made arrangements for her to have her baby in a home for unwed mothers, where she bonded with her daughter. Minka wrote letters for decades, asking the people at the home if they had any news of the child. She never stopped loving her daughter and thinking of her.
Nearly eighty years later, Minka dares to pray an impossible request - that she would see her daughter before she died. On that same day, a judge released the sealed adoption records to her 77-year-old daughter. It wasn't long before Minka's phone rang with the long-awaited news. There was quite a bit of catching up to do and the families eagerly made plans to meet.
The Waiting was written by Minka's granddaughter, who did exhaustive research. The details of history come alive in this story.
I waited months for this book to be available through my library system and it was well worth the wait. It's a compelling, inspiring story of forgiveness that sets us free, the power of prayer and a love that never, ever forgot.

Liz G

The Waiting by Cathy LaGrow is a precious book. It tactfully deals with the delicate subject of an assault resulting in pregnancy. God is present in this story. Sometimes the dates & storyline jumps around, but this is an excellent story with God's presence visible.